After a historic, coordinated, eight (8) month-long effort by six (6) law enforcement agencies led by the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division (Narcotics and Special Investigations Section) and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, to target drug dealers and cripple their distribution centers, a 3-count indictment was unsealed late yesterday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court charging eight (8) individuals with conspiracy to distribute heroin, among other drug-related offenses. These charges are in connection to a multi-million dollar per year sophisticated drug distribution operation and evidence found in their possession at the time the search warrants were executed. Nearly $1 million in assets were seized, to include 12 firearms and 3 vehicles.

“Today is a historic moment for Anne Arundel County, not only because of the high volume of drugs seized, but also the unswerving commitment of multiple agencies working in tandem,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney, Wes Adams. “As a team, it is clear that our County agencies are determined to make our communities safer and our momentum is only growing stronger. Today’s announcement should send a message to those seeking to deal drugs on our streets that we will find you. Your kind of business is not welcome here.”

Upon hiring a dedicated heroin prosecutor in March of this year, State’s Attorney Wes Adams asked Anne Arundel County Police to start identifying members of drug trafficking organizations for investigation and subsequent indictments. This effort led to the indictment of eight (8) persons alleged to be responsible for illicit drug importation into Anne Arundel County. State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutors then coordinated a multi-agency investigation which included the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division (Narcotics and Special Investigations Section), members of the Anne Arundel County Heroin Task Force (Anne Arundel County Police Department, Annapolis Police and Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office), as well as members of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Anne Arundel County Executive’s Office funded the effort.

This large-scale law enforcement team identified the drug trafficking members who were responsible for illicit drug importation, packaging and distribution inside Anne Arundel County, executed the search warrants, and discovered the necessary evidence that eventually broke apart this ring. Members of the conspiracy have varying levels of culpability.

“The strong partnership represented here today is just the beginning of a long, cold winter for heroin pushers in our County,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh. “This investigation and these indictments we announce today, demonstrate that our efforts at working closely together are helping to protect the public.”

Seven (7) subjects have been arrested, (4) are currently in custody, three (3) have posted bail, while one (1) additional subject under indictment is still wanted. The public is being asked for help in finding the last remaining individual; a photo will be released online today.

“We seek the public’s help in locating Andres Fernandez. Our citizens know that we will not stop looking for him until he is arrested and held accountable through the criminal justice system,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare. “I hope that this investigation shows the citizens of Anne Arundel County that we are resolved to continue the fight against the destruction heroin wreaks in our communities. We have a national crisis on our hands and we have to stem the tide of useless deaths. It is up to all of us in the community to work together to keep our friends and families safe.”

Andres Fernandez, sentenced to 25 years in prison.

On October 14, 2015, seven (7) search and seizure warrants were executed as part of this investigation, all of which were in Anne Arundel County. As a result of the search warrants detectives located and seized:

3 Kilograms of Heroin with an estimated street value of $360,000

5 Kilograms of Cocaine with an estimated street value of $150,000

394 Capsules of Heroin with an estimated street value of $3,940

12 firearms, 6 of which were stolen

Large amount of ammunition

1 hydraulic Kilogram press, 1 manual Kilogram press

Approximately $90,000 of U.S. Currency, presumed drug proceeds

Approximately $100,000 of Jewelry, presumed drug proceeds

3 vehicles, worth approximately $200,000, presumed drug proceeds

Paraphernalia indicative of distribution to include scales, baggies, and bags of unused gelatin capsules

In addition to the subjects indicted and arrested, five (5) additional subjects were arrested at the time the search warrants were executed and charged for various offenses.

Eye On Annapolis is a community based site focusing strictly on Anne Arundel County. These staff postings are general news postings made by our team of bloggers throughout the day and are not attributed to any one particular staff person.